- Byron Public Schools
- Crisis Communications
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Crisis Communications
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Byron Public Schools is committed to providing a safe environment for student, staff, and visitors. We work closely with our first responders in order to ensure our schools are well prepared for an emergency. We have developed a comprehensive plan that covers a wide variety of emergencies and serves as a guide to help staff, and our public safety partners, respond swiftly should a crisis occur in our schools.
Our guiding principle is to communicate facts as quickly as possible, updating information regularly as circumstances change, to ensure the safety of our students and staff and the continued operation of essential services. We will use multiple mediums to reach as many people as possible with accurate, timely information.
This is especially important in the first hours and days of an emergency or crisis. Our goal is to be open, accountable and accessible to our audiences, while also being mindful of legal and privacy concerns.
The communication goal during any incident is to get the:
- Right information to the
- Right people at the
- Right time so they can make the
- Right decisions and issue the
- Right communications
It is important to understand that our first priority will be to ensure the safety of the students and staff and we will initiate our communications plan as soon as we have accurate information. Emergencies can develop rapidly and change frequently. We work with our first responders to ensure the message we send is correct and does not compromise any aspect of the situation. The method of communications may depend on the nature of the emergency and the response needed by parents.
Byron Public Schools continues to look for ways to ensure the security and welfare of our students and staff. As part of this process, we will be implementing several new safety processes this school year. As we implement new measures, it is important for us to ensure that we don’t harden our hearts. Safety experts agree that relationships are the key component in preventing tragedies. In Byron, while we will focus on safety and security, we will continue our work of building, and advocating for, relationships.
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Accessing Buldings
Byron Public Schools is committed to providing the safest possible environment for our students and staff. We want visitors to continue to join us for special school events, programs and celebrations. To help manage the large numbers of guests visiting our buildings and sites during the day or after hour events, we require specific procedures.
Visitors will:
- Wait for the controlled access to be initiated by the office during the school day.
- Immediately check-in at the main office, receive and wear the provided ID badge.
- This is NOT an “all access” pass.
- Misuse may result in access being revoked.
- Follow all requests of staff when on site.
- Follow all district policies.
- Enjoy your visit and please remember this is not an “all access pass.”
Notice
Byron Public Schools can revoke and withdraw any permission and license to enter DISTRICT No. 531’s buildings, parking lots, or school-controlled properties. Accordingly this means an individual no longer has any permission or right to enter any such properties. Any entry by a person hereafter onto any such property shall constitute a trespass and shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement officials or arrest without warrant and delivered to the nearest magistrate to be dealt with according to the law. In this manner we call your attention that under Minnesota Law, a willful trespass constitutes a misdemeanor. (Reference MN Criminal Code Section 609.605, Subdivision 1 (b)(3), Minnesota Criminal Code Section 609.605, Subdivision 1 (b)(7), ISD #531 Policy 903).
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Emergency Contacts
Sheriff
District Contacts
- Superintendent - Dr. Mike Neubeck
Building and Program Administrators
- Byron High School: Malia Schroeder, Principal and , Assistant Principal Kelly Braun
- Byron Middle School: Richard Swanson, Principal
- Byron Intermediate School: Abe Rodemeyer, Principal
- Byron Primary School: Amanda Durnen, Principal
- Director of Community Education: Jen Dole
- Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Jessica Denter
- Director of Information and Learning Technology: Jen Hegna
- Facilities Maintenance Manager: Brian Haskin
- Food Service Director: Debby Frank
- Special Education Coordinator: Marie Foster
- Transportation Manager: Val Lindahl
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Inclement Weather
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE
Our weather can and will affect Byron Public Schools. The Superintendent usually makes the decision to close school by 5:00 a.m. after checking road conditions across the district, reviewing weather reports, and consulting others.Closings are seldom announced the evening prior to the school day and once school is in session for the day, classes are seldom released early due to the difficulty of notifying parents and to the difficulty that working parents have in picking up their child(ren). Decisions involving after school and evening events will be made by the Superintendent’s Office.
During inclement weather, parents and staff are encouraged to check local media outlets and the district's numerous social media channels for the most up-to-date information. Once the decision is made, these sites will be updated first, and key Byron personnel including transportation and maintenance supervisors, principals and other supervisors will be notified. The district may also utilize School Messenger, our family notification system, for district-wide communications. The Superintendent's Office will notify local media outlets next. School will be open unless otherwise stated.
School will be closed due to inclement weather only when absolutely necessary. On occasion the District may utilize a Flex Learning Day (FLD). Please review FLD information here.
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School Messenger
Byron Public Schools uses the electronic notifications system, School Messenger, to send direct messages to district families and staff. The district uses this system to communicate emergency information quickly as well as important information and alerts. Schools and programs also use this system to send families important information and reminders. School Messenger integrates with the district's student information system. It is vital that parents and guardians provide our schools with up-to-date contact information, such as work and home telephone numbers.
Questions should be directed to the appropriate main office.
- District Office: 507-775-2383
- Byron High School: 507-775-2301
- Byron Middle School: 507-775-2189
- Byron Intermediate School: 507-775-6620
- Byron Primary School: 507-624-0311
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School Resource Officer
Tom Olson has been a Deputy with Olmsted County since 2008 and has worked in the patrol and transport divisions. He is a Crisis Intervention Team member and coach, trained in responding and assisting persons experiencing a mental health crisis. Deputy Olson is a Peer Support Team member with Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department.
Contact: Deputy Olson
What are SROs?
School Resource Officers (SROs) are sworn, licensed career peace officers with arrest powers who work full- or part-time in Minnesota public schools. SROs can help schools and community-based organizations prevent crime, gangs, and drug activities affecting schools, educate students about school safety, promote community justice initiatives, and train students in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and crime awareness.
What is the role of SROs?
School districts, in order to provide a safe learning environment, may use an SRO to help investigate serious forms of student misconduct, maintain order in schools, and conduct student and teacher training on safety issues. In investigations, school officials and SROs must distinguish between disciplinary matters within the purview of the school, where school-based discipline or sanctions are appropriate, and criminal conduct within the purview of a law enforcement agency. For instance, a school disciplinary matter may involve disruptive or disorderly conduct or fighting, whereas criminal conduct may involve illegal use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or weapons. Here is a resource for working with and understanding the roles of SROs.
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